Table



Jan 4 1966 R. RElsDoRl-F ETAI. 3,227,105

TABLE Filed Nov. 2.7, 1964 United States atent The present invention relates to tables, and it relates `more particularly to an improved table assembly which inclu-des a pivotally mounted `reversible top.

The improved table assembly of the present invention is constructed so that the top may be rotated to a first position in which an open-topped tbox-like structure is revealed so that the table may be used, for example, -as a crap table. The top may also be rotated to a second position in which the underside I'of the box-like structure is revealed so that the table may serve, for example, as a coffee table.

More generally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved table assembly which, in one position, may 'be used for gaming purposes, including a variety of dice games; and which in a second position may be used as a normal table, such as a coffee ta'ble, for serving or other purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an improved table assembly which is simple in its construction, which is strong and dura-ble in use, and which is inexpensive to manufacture and may be sold at a relatively low price.

A feature of the table of the invention is that it includes a hinged frame which serves not only as a border for the coffee table, and a rim seat for the gaming table, but also provides a simple and convenient means for retaining the pivoted lbox-like structure in either of its two positions.

Another feature of the invention is that the pivotally mounted box-like structure is removable from the frame so that it may be placed, for example, on another table such as the dining room table for gaming purposes.

Other features, advantages and objects of the invention will `become apparent from a consideration of the specification, when the specification is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a representation of a rectangular table, shown in perspective, embodying the concepts of the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows the ta'ble of FIGURE 1, with the top frame elevated, and in the process of being converted into a gaming table, such as a crap table;

FIGURE 3 shows the table of FIGURE 1 as converted into a gaming table;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the table of FIGURE 1, on an enlarged scale, and taken substantially on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the table, taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4.

The table shown in the drawing includes, for example, a first frame having a rectangular configuration, although any other configuration may be appropriate. The rectangular frame 11i is supported in a generally horizontal plane by means of legs 12 disposed, for example, at each corner. This table may, for example, be a coffee table, an end table, or any other desired type of rectangular, square, round or other shape of table.

A rectangular box-like structure 14 is dimensioned so that it may be received within the frame 10. The structure 14, likewise, may have any desired shape to fit into the frame 10. The box-like structure 14 has an open top, and it is pivotally supported within the frame 10. The pivotal support of the box-like structure 14 is provided by 3,227,105 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 means of a pair of pivot spindles, or shafts 16, which are aligned with one another at opposite ends of the box-like structure, and which are received in cradles 18. The cradles are attached at each end on the inside of the frame 10.

The assembly thus far described permits the box-like structure 14 to be pivotally rotated within the frame 10 to a position, such as shown in FIGURE 1, Where the underside of the bottom of the box-like structure 14 is exposed through the top of the frame 10; and to a second position, such a-s shown in FIGURE 3, in which the open top of the box-like structure 14 is revealed through the top of the frame 10. The assembly also permits the boxlike structure 14 to be removed from the frame 10.

A second frame 20 is mounted on the first frame 10 by means of a plurality of hinges 22, for example. The frame member 20 preferably has a padded top portion, as best shown in FIGURE 4. The frame 20 may be moved down over the upper rim of the frame 10, and it serves selectively to retain the box-like structure 14, either in the position shown in FIGURE 1, or in the position shown in FIGURE 3. A hinged bracket, such as the bracket 23, may be provided to limit the angular movement of the frame 20.

An appropriate lock, or catch, 24 may also be provided to lock, or hold, the box-like structure 14 in either of its two positions, so as to assure that the box-like structure will not rotate in the frame when it is in either of the positions shown in FIGURE 1 or 3. However, under most circumstances, the lock 24 is not essential, since the boxlike structure 14 may be firmly held in position by the top frame 20. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the box-like structure 14 may be rotated in the frame 1t), and the frame 20 moved down over its rim, as :shown in FIG- URE l, so that the assembly may be used as a typical coffee table.

When it is desired to use the table for gaming purposes, it is merely necessary to lift the frame 20, as shown in FIGURE 2, and to pivot the box-like structure 14 in the frame 10 to the position shown in FIGURE 3. Then, with the frame 20 back in place, the table serves as a convenient crap table.

Appropriate green felt, or other material, may be mounted on the bottom of the box-like structure 14, together with appropriate game designations, which may be inscribed on the felt.

As described above, the box-like structure 14 is not only rotatable in the frame 10, =but is also removable from the frame, merely by lifting it and its spindles 16 out of the cradles 18. This permits the box-like structure 14 to be removed from the frame 10, and to be placed on a table, such as a dining room table, for example, which may be of a more convenient height for craps or other games. It also permits the box-like structure 14, of course, to be removed from the frame 10 and taken to other localities, wherever it is `desired to -be used for gaming purposes. Subsequently, the box-like structure may be returned to the frame 10.

The upper frame 20, in addition to performing its function of selectively retaining the box-like structure 14 in either of its two position, also serves as a convenient rest or seat for the players, when the table is in the gaming position, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved table assembly, which is constructed so as to be adaptable for gaming purposes, as described above.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the claims to cover all modifications which -fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A table lassembly including: a first frame; an opentopped box-like structure dimensioned to fit into said first frame; pivot means for pivotally mounting said boxlike structure in said first frame to be rotatable therein between a first position in which the open top of said boxlike structure is revealed through the top of said first yframe and a second position inwhich the underside of the bottom of said box-like structure is revealed through the top of said frame; and a second frame hingedto said first framel and movable to va position down over the upper rim ofn said first frame for selectively retaining said box-,likestructure in said first and second positions in said first trarne i 2. iA'table assembly including: a first frame having a pair of aligned slots formed therein; an open-topped boxlile structure idimensioned to fit into said frame; a pair of aligned Vpivot shafts aflixed to said box-like structure and received by said slots in said frame for privotally and removably supporting said box-like structure in said frame, said Y box-like structure being rotatable in said frame between a first position in which the open top of said box-like structure is revealed through the top of said frame and a second position in which the underside of the bottom of said box-sile structure is revealed through the top of said frame; and a second frame hinged to said first frame and movable Ato a position down over the upper rim of said first frame for selectively retaining saidV boxlile structure in said first and sec'ond positions in said fir-st frame.

3. table assembly including: a rectangular frame; a plurality of legs attached to said rectangular frame for supporting said frame in a generally horizontal plane; a rectangular open-topped box-like structure pivotally mounted iny said rectangular frame and rotatable therein Detti/@i111 ,ft litt postiQn in Whih the .Open top 0f Said rectangular Vbox-like structure is revealed through the top of said frame and a second position `in which the under- What is claimedl is:

side of the bottom of said box-like ystructure is revealed `through the top of said rectangular frame; and a further frame hinged to said rst mentioned trarne and movable to a position down over the upper rim of -said first mentioned frame for selectively retaining said box-like structure in said first and second positions in said first mentioned frame.

4. A table assembly including: a first frame having generally vertical sides; a plurality of legs attached to said first frame for supporting said first frame in a generally horizontal plane; an open-topped box-like structure pivotally mounted in said first frame and rotatable therein'between a first position in which the open top of said boxlike structure is exposed through the top of said first frame and a second position in which the underside of the bottom of said box-like structure is revealed through the top of said first frame; and a second frame hinged to said first frame and movable to a position down over the upper rim of said first frame in a position such that the sides of said second frame are generally horizontal for retaining said box-like structure in said first frame selectively in said first andy second positions.

5. The table `assembly defined in claim 4 in which said first frame, said second frame and said box-like structure all have a rectangular configuration.

6. The ta'ble defined in claim 4 in which said box-like structure is removable from said first frame. i

References Cited by the Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS 747,097 12/ 1903 Spalt 10S-62 X 1,872,849 /l932 Townes 108-62 X 2,079,737 5/1937 Greenway 168-62 2,522,202 9/1950 Theis 108-62 X v2,624,137' 1/1953 Gysin 10s-13 2,727,798 12/1955 Campo L08- 62 2,833,669 5/l958 Lawless 10S-62 2,903,312 9/1959 Lawless 10S-62 FOREIGN PATENTS 545,964 3/ 1956 Belgium.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

G. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TABLE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING: A FIRST FRAME; AN OPENTOPPED BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE DIMENSIONED TO FIT INTO SAID FIRST FRAME; PIVOT MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID BOXLIKE STRUCTURE IN SAID FIRST FRAME TO BE ROTATABLE THEREIN BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH THE OPEN TOP OF SAID BOXLIKE STRUCTURE IS REVEALED THROUGH THE TOP OF SAID FIRST FRAME AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE IS REVEALED THROUGH THE TOP OF SAID FRAME; AND A SECOND FRAME HINGED TO SAID FIRST FRAME AND MOVABLE TO A POSITION DOWN OVER THE UPPER RIM OF SAID FIRST FRAME FOR SELECTIVELY RETAINING SAID BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS IN SAID FIRST FRAME. 